This is detrimental.
Recent research reveals that the utilization of TVs and tablets as electronic babysitters significantly reduces toddlers’ interaction time with parents or other caregivers. This phenomenon, termed “technoference” by an Australian investigative team, describes a situation where young children’s exposure to screen time impedes opportunities for communication and interaction within their home environment. Published on March 4 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, the researchers’ findings shed light on this concerning trend.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for children aged 2 to 5, media use should not exceed one hour per day to allow sufficient time for other crucial activities essential to their health and development. However, many toddlers surpass this recommended limit.
In the study led by Mary Brushe from the University of Western Australia in Adelaide, researchers monitored the daily screen time of toddlers from 220 families, as well as the duration of their interactions with parents, from 12 to 36 months of age. Advanced technology, including specialized T-shirts or vests equipped with sensitive monitors, was employed to track and differentiate electronic noise emitted by screens from language spoken by the child, parent, or another adult.
The study’s primary finding was unequivocal: increased screen time correlated with decreased parent-child communication. By the age of 3, the average child in the study spent nearly three hours daily in front of screens. For each additional minute of screen time, children experienced fewer adult words, vocalizations, and interactive exchanges. Specifically, by age 3, every extra minute of screen viewing corresponded to 6.6 fewer words spoken with an adult that day.
The researchers highlighted the importance of raising awareness among parents regarding the impact of screen time on children’s development. They emphasized the need for support in understanding the potential association between screen time and opportunities for communication and interaction in the home environment.
Sarah Kucker, an expert in language development and digital media at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, lauded the Australian findings as impressive. While acknowledging the ubiquity of media, Kucker emphasized the significance of monitoring how and when media is used, suggesting it as a vital consideration for future endeavors.
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